Hofner Archtops
Andy Sheppard
wrote:
> My question is, does any one else out there own one of these or
>the other Hofners. I believe the Commitee was maybe second or third down
>from their top model of the time. In any case, I am curious as to their
>perceived value.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Peter Kaye
>p...@cinenet.net
Peter,
I have a very old Hofner President (approx. 1959-1960) which cost
30 UKP second-hand in 1984 in excellent condition. I was later told
it was worth 300 UKP. The President is still the nicest guitar I have
ever played (I'm strictly amateur though!).
These guitars very often develop a crack in the neck at the point where
the neck curves to form the joint with the body: I wonder if your's
shows any signs of doing that? Mine did but was repaired by a superb
luthier here in Southanpton (UK).
Did you know there is an excellent book available dealing with the
history of Hofner guitars ? I have it at home and could give you more
details about it if your are interested.
Regards,
Andy Sheppard
an...@ferring.demon.co.uk
Peter D Kaye
I was wandering down Charing Cross in London where all the guitar shops
are, and spyed this beautiful looking archtop in the window of a store.
On closer inspection it was an early sixties Hofner Commitee model. The
materials and craftsmanship were as good or better as the American
guitars of the day, bought it cost a hell of a lot less (350 pounds). I
played it, it felt and sounded wonderful, so I bought it. And I love it
to this day.
George4908
suggest calling Bob Ohman in Denver at 303-722-1243 and requesting his
stock list. He is major dealer in German guitars and has several Hofner
archtops on hand. His ad in Vintage Guitar Magazine shows four of them
from $950-$1750. These weren't "Committees" but he may have one, or know
about them.
Colin Barnes
<an...@ferring.demon.co.uk> writes
>
>Did you know there is an excellent book available dealing with the
>history of Hofner guitars ? I have it at home and could give you more
>details about it if your are interested.
lovely large bodied Hofner just a few weeks back. It sounded wonderful.
I believe there is a collector trader in Birmingham, U.K. who
specialises in these guitars.
--
<ryGyn. This message is from Colin Barnes >||<
1o >||<
1B <bar...@a-dark.demon.co.uk> ||
SS __||__
SS / || \
MM ,t, "After Dark" making music \ || /
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(MM H@ enjoying, in and around ( )
U@M@Y the Midlands of the U.K. \ -- /
`"' tel. the band secretary on 01926 400063 \____/
Mark David gray
Can you please post the details in the conference as I have a friend who
has an arch top Hofner and we know little or nothing about it.
cheers
already
Peter D Kaye
the preponderance of them as being from the UK. I wonder if they were
ever sold here in the states? And if not, they may be grossly, either,
underated or undernoticed.
Peter Kaye
p...@cinenet.net
Andy Sheppard
Apologies that it took me so long to get these details to you. The details
of the Hofner guitar history book are at the end of this message. The book
is highly entertaining and informative.
A table lists the dates in which all the different Hofner's were made:if you
know the serial number for your instrument (probably visible through the
soundhole) you can thus date your guitar, e.g. my President is number 7827
and so the table tells me it was made in 1960. The shape of the pickups,
head and controls also give clues about the production date.
Following that table are brief histories and descriptions of each Hofner
model along with b/w pictures of most. After that there are pictures and
interviews of various famous guitarists who have used Hofner guitars in the
past, including Paul McCartney (violin bass, of course), Hank Marvin,
Alvin Lee, Albert Lee, Ritchie Blackmore, Dave Gilmour and (at last a jazz
guitarist!) Martin Taylor. The best part of the book then follows: a colour
photo collection showing Gordon Giltrap's collection of Hofners. Finally
there are a large number of copies of the original ads for Hofner guitars.
14.95 UKP may sound expensive, but the book is really beautifully produced.
If I remember correctly I ordered it from an ad in DownBeat, but you might
look at the following URL (I did not do an exhaustive search for
other Internet sources):
---------------------------------------------------------------
<http://www.musicians-net.co.uk/Mailorder/Essential_ads.html>
"THE HOFNER BOOK - A HISTORY OF HOFNER ELECTRIC GUITARS
Written by Gordon Giltrap and Music
Maker's own Neville Marten, this is a detailed
look at the Hofner guitar. Packed with superb colour
photos of Gordon's personal collection, this book also
contains a memorabilia section and interviews with many
of rock's great guitarists who have owned or played a
Hofner guitar. Interviewees include Paul McCartney,
David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore and Hank Marvin.
A superb book."
Order code IM 4 14.95 UKP (+ 1.50 UKP (UK)
+ 3.50 UKP (Europe)
+ 6.00 UKP (Rest of world))
(Music maker Mail Order Services,
Alexander House,
Forehill,
Ely,
Cambs CB7 4AF
UK or fax order to 01353 662489.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I hope this info. is useful for you,
Kind regards,
Andy Sheppard
an...@ferring.demon.co.uk
===================================================
Title: The Hofner Guitar - A History
Authors: Gordon Giltrap and Neville Martin
Date: 1993
Published by: International Music Publications Ltd
Southend Road
Woodford Green
Essex
IG8 8HN
UK
Ref: ISBN 0-86359-956-7
Price: 14.95 UKP
Ron Cobb
wrote:
> Well, so far there is some wonderful feedback re: Hofners. But I notice
Peter, in the last year I played three Hofner archtops in the Nashville,
TN area. One was selling for $200, one for $300, and one at Gruhn Guitars
for around $600. The first two were from the low end of the product line,
and I passed on them. Gruhn's was nicer, but it didn't feel right to me.
Very pretty though with interesting birdeye maple.
My first guitar (1968) was a Hofner solidbody strat-style guitar. I lent
it to a friend years later and never saw it again. They were sold in the
United States, even in small towns in South Carolina. But they never were
a hot ticket item as far as I know.
ron